Rex rabbit

The Rex is a medium-sized domestic rabbit recognized for a coat that feels like cut velvet. The fur stands upright rather than lying flat, and the guard hairs are the same length as the undercoat, which gives the body an even, plush surface. This texture is the breed's defining feature and the reason it is often described as a velvet rabbit.

Most adult Rex rabbits weigh between roughly 3.5 and 4.5 kg, placing them in the medium range. The body is rounded and well muscled, with upright ears and a broad head. The breed comes in many recognized colors, and a smaller Mini Rex variety exists for keepers who want the same coat in a more compact frame.

Temperament is the Rex's other strong point. The breed is friendly, affectionate, gentle, calm, and docile. Many individuals tolerate handling well and settle into a quiet routine, which suits households that want a calm indoor pet rather than a high-energy one.

Who it suits

The Rex fits keepers who want a calm, handleable rabbit and can give it daily attention and space to move. The plush coat needs gentle care and the breed does best with supervised, respectful handling, so households with very young or rough children should manage interactions closely. First-time owners can keep a Rex successfully if they commit to a proper diet, clean housing, and regular health checks.

The Rex rabbit comes from France. The breed traces to the early 1900s, when a coat mutation appeared in litters of ordinary farm rabbits. Instead of the usual mix of longer guard hairs over a shorter undercoat, the affected rabbits had fur of nearly uniform length that stood up from the body and felt like plush.

French breeders worked to fix the mutation into a stable type during the 1910s and 1920s. The recessive gene responsible for the coat had to be paired carefully to keep the velvet texture consistent across generations. Early stock was sometimes uneven in fur quality, and selective breeding improved the density and evenness over time.

The breed drew attention at shows in France and was then exported to other countries. It reached the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1920s, where breeders developed it further and standardized a range of colors. The distinctive coat made the Rex valued both as a show animal and, historically, for its pelt.

A dwarf form, the Mini Rex, was developed later by crossing Rex stock with smaller rabbits to produce the same coat in a reduced size. Today the standard Rex and the Mini Rex are kept worldwide, mainly as companion and exhibition rabbits.

The Rex has a rounded, well-muscled body carried fairly upright, with a broad head and ears that stand erect. Adults typically weigh around 3.5 to 4.5 kg. The breed's signature is its coat: short, dense, and upright, with guard hairs and undercoat of roughly equal length. The result is a smooth, springy surface that feels like velvet under the hand.

Coat and colors

The coat is the breed's most recognized feature. Because the guard hairs do not project beyond the undercoat, the fur stands up evenly and gives a plush, level appearance. Recognized colors range from solid shades such as black, blue, white, and lilac to patterned varieties like castor, chinchilla, opal, and broken (white with colored markings). Coat density and even texture are key points in show judging. The whiskers are often short or curled, a normal side effect of the same coat gene.

The Rex has a reputation as one of the calmer rabbit breeds. Common traits are friendly, affectionate, gentle, calm, and docile. Many individuals are content to sit near their owners and accept gentle stroking, and some learn to seek out attention once they trust a household.

With family members the breed tends to be relaxed and tolerant of routine handling, especially when introduced to people slowly. With strangers a Rex may be reserved at first and warm up over repeated, quiet visits. As with all rabbits, it can startle at sudden movements or loud noises, so a steady environment helps it stay settled.

Around other pets the Rex can live alongside calm cats or dogs that are trained not to chase, though supervision is important. Two rabbits can bond into a stable pair if they are neutered and introduced gradually on neutral ground. Each animal has its own personality, so temperament varies between individuals.

Grooming

• Brush about once a week with a soft brush or by hand; the short coat does not need heavy grooming
• Avoid over-brushing, which can damage the dense velvet texture
• Check and trim nails every 6 to 8 weeks
• Inspect ears and teeth during grooming sessions
• Spot-clean soiled fur with a damp cloth rather than full baths, which stress rabbits

Exercise

• Provide at least 3 to 4 hours of supervised time outside the enclosure each day
• Offer a safe, rabbit-proofed run or room for hopping and stretching
• Add tunnels, boxes, and chew toys to keep the rabbit active
• Sensitive footpads mean soft, solid flooring is better than wire

Environment

Keep the Rex indoors or in a sheltered space that stays roughly between 10 and 21 degrees Celsius. Rabbits handle cool conditions better than heat and can suffer in temperatures above the mid-20s. Provide shade, ventilation, and protection from drafts and damp.

The foundation of a Rex's diet is grass hay, such as timothy or meadow hay, which should be available at all times. Hay supports digestion and wears down the continuously growing teeth. Fresh leafy greens add variety and moisture, and a small daily portion of quality pellets supplies extra nutrients. Fresh water must always be available.

Treats and supplements

Use fresh herbs and small pieces of fruit, such as apple without seeds, as occasional treats rather than daily food. A rabbit on unlimited hay and varied greens usually needs no supplements. Ask a rabbit-savvy vet before adding any supplement, and keep treats to a small fraction of the total diet.

The Rex is generally a hardy rabbit with a lifespan of about 5 to 8 years, and some individuals live longer with attentive care. Most health problems are preventable through correct diet, clean housing, and routine handling checks. The breed's short coat makes it slightly more vulnerable to pressure sores on the feet than fuller-coated rabbits.

Preventive care

• Provide unlimited grass hay to support teeth and gut
• Use soft, solid flooring to protect the feet
• Check appetite and droppings every day
• Keep the rear end clean, especially in warm weather
• Schedule annual vet checks and discuss vaccination where relevant

A Rex needs an enclosure large enough to stand fully upright, stretch out, and take several hops. A solid floor is important because the breed's lightly padded feet are prone to sores on wire. The housing should sit in a sheltered indoor or covered space, away from drafts, damp, and direct heat, with daily access to a larger run.

Setup checklist

• Solid-floor cage or pen with soft, absorbent bedding
• Litter tray in a chosen corner
• Constant hay supply and a heavy water bowl or bottle
• Hide box, tunnels, and safe chew toys
• Shaded, ventilated location free of drafts

Rex rabbits reach sexual maturity at roughly 5 to 8 months, with smaller individuals maturing a little earlier. For mating, the doe is usually brought to the buck's enclosure rather than the reverse. Gestation lasts about 31 days, after which the doe gives birth to a litter in a nest box she lines with fur.

Average litters contain 4 to 8 kits, which are born hairless and with closed eyes. The doe nurses once or twice a day, so an undisturbed nest is normal even when the mother is rarely seen with the young. Kits open their eyes at around 10 days and begin nibbling solid food soon after. Weaning happens at about 6 to 8 weeks. Responsible breeding requires healthy parents, attention to coat quality and color, and a plan for placing the young.